Speech and Swallow Therapy

For patients with head and neck cancers, radiation and chemotherapy treatments can cause problems that involve the mouth and the throat, including swallowing issues.

At Sacred Heart, our speech therapists help patients develop and/or recover reliable communication and swallowing skills. They provide a comprehensive plan from diagnosis to recovery for a wide variety of patients.

Diagnosis & Treatment Plans

Our speech therapy team uses standardized tests and special instruments to analyze and diagnose the nature and extent of a patient's speech, language and swallowing issues. By utilizing these tools, they can then develop a specialized treatment plan that fits each patientís own unique needs.

Speech Disorders

Our speech therapy team is trained to treat a variety of disorders that can affect a patientís ability to speak properly. For patients with little or no speech capability, our therapists may use alternative communication methods, including automated devices and sign language, during treatment. They teach patients how to make sounds, improve their voices, or increase their oral or written language skills to communicate more effectively. In turn, they will teach the patient how to use these alternative communication methods at home so they can function independently.

Swallowing Therapy

Swallowing therapy is used to help teach individuals how to strengthen muscles or use other methods to swallow without choking or inhaling food or liquid. Our therapists are trained to work with a variety of patients from infants to adults who have swallowing disorders or conditions.

Support & Education

Our speech therapists will also work with a patient's family to help them understand not only the patient's condition, but also how to cope with any stress and misunderstandings that may surface. They will work with family members to recognize and change behavior patterns that impede communication and treatment and show them communication-enhancing techniques to use at home.